Has a UTI scarred her kidneys?

If neglected and untreated, some bladder infections can ascend further to the kidneys, which may become inflamed causing backache ...

14/05/2014

Question

My five-year-old daughter has been diagnosed with E. coli . What causes this illness and what damage can it do?

We have been told she needs a renal scan to check for scarring. Is it likely she has kidney damage?

Answer

Generally speaking females are more prone to cystitis and kidney infections than males simply because the urethra (the pipe from the bladder to the outside) is much shorter in females than males, and are therefore more vulnerable to ascending infections from outside.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

The bacteria that live on the surface of our skin, no matter how hygienic and clean we are, may ascend into the urethra. Symptoms of cystitis can occur when these bacteria multiply into significant numbers.

Symptoms include passing urine more often, a stinging or burning sensation, the feeling of needing to go to the toilet very urgently and sometimes the presence of blood in the urine.

Sometimes the urine may have a distinctive smell too.

If neglected and untreated, some bladder infections can ascend further to the kidneys, which may become inflamed causing backache and a reasonably high temperature.

This is known as pyelonephritis and again if neglected can lead to contraction and scarring of the kidney.

Most females will suffer from one or two bouts of cystitis during their lifetime and little girls are no exception.

However, if more than one or two episodes occur in childhood it raises the possibility of abnormal anatomy in the bladder, kidneys and connecting tubes that predisposes to infection, and this should be investigated be your GP.

The first test is a laboratory culture of the germs contained in the urine to identify which antibiotics are the most appropriate to treat it.

In your daughter's case the infection is due to E. coli, a very common bacterial cause of cystitis that originates in the bowel.

It is vital for her to learn to wipe herself from front to back when she goes to the toilet and the kidney scan she has been offered is the best next step.

If this shows no scarring, and there are no abnormal valves or anatomy you have little cause to worry.

NetDoctor, part of the Hearst UK wellbeing network
Netdoctor participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites.